How to grow Blackberry?
- Latin Family: Rosaceae
- Latin Genus: Rubus
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Perennial
The vigorous blackberries have to be the easiest of all fruit to grow. They tolerate almost any kind of soil, thrive in sun or shade, can be incredibly productive and bloom so late they aren't bothered by late frosts. They are delicious raw or cooked and are particularly outstanding in pies (often mixed with apples or other fruit). In fact the only reason not to grow them is if you have already have them growing wild in abundance nearby. Some people dislike having thorny plants in the garden, but there are now a number of thornless cultivars too.
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Blackberry History
Blackberries have been around for millenia and our ancestors were harvesting and eating them while living in caves (if not before).
Historically blackberries aren't high on the list of garden fruit because they are so common in the wild - why take up space in your garden if you can just go out and gather from wild plants?
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.5 - 7.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.5 - 6.8
Blackberries can be grown in most types of soil, but will be most productive in one that is fertile and moisture retentive. Unlike most fruit it doesn't have to be well drained. They will also grow in dry soils, but will fruit less profusely and the the berries will not grow to be as large.
How to care for Blackberry?
Blackberries are so ubiquitous, and are often considered a nuisance for landscapers, which should be a clear indication that it can grow quite well without any assistance. If you want to give your canes the best TLC, you should select a sunny spot with good drainage and naturally fertile soil. By training the new growth on your trellis and pruning your plants judiciously at the end of each season, you'll get the best crop of blackberries every year.
Water
Blackberries are naturally quite drought tolerant (I have been amazed at their ability to survive months without water), but won't produce much fruit if they aren't given plenty of water during their budding and growth period. Lack of moisture when fruiting will result in smaller fruit that may not ripen properly. Water is also important after fruiting for the production of replacement shoots. Give the plants at least 1” of water per week or more if necessary.
Fertilizer
Blackberries are very productive plants and do best in fertile soil. They can occupy the same soil for 15 years, so the ground should be amended heavily before planting.
Seeds
Seed Viability:
Garden variety Blackberries are not generally started by seed, but are instead propagated by stem or root cuttings, or by tip layering, where a young, green cane is bent over and covered with a few inches of soil.
Light
Part shade
Blackberries will tolerate some shade, though they won't be as productive as when growing in full sun
Conditions:Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Blackberries are most productive when growing in full sun.
Conditions:Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Blackberries are commonly made into preserves and stored in the pantry.
Storage Req: Canning
Storage Temp: 60-70°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
The fully ripe fruit is very perishable and won't keep for more than a few days in the fridge
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 2-5 days
The fruit is easy to freeze, just pack into freezer bags and put in the fridge.
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Problems
Invasive
Blackberries are so vigorous and independent they are best planted in their own area, away from the intensive vegetable garden.
Blackberry Types
- Blackberries
- Trailing Blackberries
Blackberries are not true berries. Instead, it is botanically termed an aggregate fruit, meaning it is composed of small druplets. The plants have biennial canes and perennial roots, meaning the canes only bear fruit on two year old growth. Unmanaged mature plants form a tangle of dense arching stems, called a bramble. It is highly recommended that gardeners wishing to grow blackberries use a trellis system to keep their blackberry plants in control.
Trailing blackberries are vigorous, crown forming, require a trellis for support, and are less cold hardy than the erect or semi-erect blackberries. Trailing Blackberries are actually a cross between blackberries and raspberries.
Pests
- Symphylans
- Birds
- Thrips
- Aphids
- Cutworms
- Nematodes
- Raccoons
- Deer
Diseases
- Gray Mold Botrytis Fruit Rot
- Anthracnose
- Rust
- Downy Mildew
- Bacterial Stem Rot, Bacterial Root Rot, Bacterial Soft Rot
- Powdery Mildew
- Verticillium Wilt
